Self-starter



Oct. 7, 1924.. 1,511,032

F. .JOHNSTON SELF STARTER Filed July 19. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. JOHNSTON SELF STARTER Oct. .7 1924. 1,511,082

F. JOHNSTON SELF STARTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l, I I

Patented Oct. 7, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FLOYD JOHNSTON, 0F LANESBORO, IOWA.

SELF-STARTER.

Application filed .Tilly 19,

To all wiz/0m t may concern:

Be it known that I, FLOYD JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lanesboro, county of Carroll, and the State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Self-Starter, of Which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to a new self-contained mechanical starter` for internal combustion engines. lt is a further object of my invention to provide a ne\v,' novel7 simple useful, eliicient7 durable and inexpensive device adapted for this purpose. lt is a further object to provide a device of this class which is operated by a self-contained spring motor so designed and con nected to the engine as to permit the engine my invention to provide a device of this class in which the spring motor is automati` cally and positively connected to the engine immediately upon the movement of the spring motor but yieldably connected on the movement of the engine. lt is a further' object of my invention to provide means for automatically reversing the movement of the spring motor by the engine through a yieldable connection for restoring the` energv in the spring motor. It is a further object of my invention to automatically stop the re- Winding of the spring motor when such operation has reached a predetermined point and there hold it until released when upon reverse movement it is again automatically connected With the engine. It is a further object of my invention to provide means for automatically throwing the spring motor out of connection on the reWinding movement which means may be readily and quickly adjusted in order to vary the tension or amount of energy to be restored in the spring motor. It is a further object of my inven-` tion to provide means for entirely disconnecting the starter from the engine if desired 1920. Serial No. 397,485.

so that it cannot be operated either Way. lt is a further object of my invention to provide a new and useful one Way clutch mechanism for automatically and positively connecting the spring motor With the gear for turning the engine and so designed as to be automatically disconnectedwhen the engine starts operating. A further object is to provide a small compact device of this class entirely enclosed Within a casing and arranged in such a manner as to operate in a bath of oil.

The starters now on the market, particularly those which have been attempted to be used in connect-ion with tractors or motor trucks are ot the electric or storage battery type in connection with Which storage batteries, switches, fuses, Wire, adjusters, distilled Water, pipe lines, pipe line connection and pumps etc., are used. All of these different parts or features are on the Whole delicate and complicated arrangements and when in need of service or repairs require expert mechanisms which are expensive. In the rural districts Where tractors are largely used as Well as motor trucks and the like such experts are not available electric starters with all their fine, delicate parts may Work satisfactorily in factories Where they have expert mechanics to look after and take care of them but in farming particularly where it has been attempted to use electric starters on tractors or motor trucks they have been very unsatisfactory if not a failure owing to the fact that they readily and quickly become out of order when subjected to the various strains imposed upon the machine. In addition electric. starters are cxpensive, necessarily so because of the many parts and fine mechanism. My device is intended to and does eliminate all of these disadvantages and objections for l do not utilize any of the partsl or devices 'vhich cause so much trouble in electric starters. As to the cost of manufacture, my device is considerably less than any other type nonrv` on the market especially those used on tractors, trucks and all motors and engines of the medium or heavy class. As to operation it can be operated by a child. lt operates automatically; its energy is restored automatically; it is disconnected from the engine automatically; it needsy no attention after once installed, as is true With the start ers now on the market; itis lubricated auii (l should possibly go wrong it is so simple in construction that it would not require a skilled mechanic to remedy the trouble.

The above and'other features of novelty, advantages and cap-abilities will become `apparent from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings in which I have illust-rated afself-starter embodying one form Q. my invention, b ut the construction here shown` is to be understood as illustrative only and not as defining the limits of my inven-v tion.

Figure 1 is an elevational. view of a starter embodying one form of my invention showing the operatino levers in normal position.

Figure 2 is a p 'an view of the same showing it adjacent to the gear for connecting with the engine.

Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view.

Figure 4 is across sectional view taken on the line 4 4: of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is a crossV sectional view taken on the line 6..-.6 of Figure 3.

Referring tothe drawings in detail, in the device illustrated, substantially theentire mechanism, save for the'operating levers, is mounted on a nonrrotatable shaft 10with in a cylindrical easing which casing comprises upper and,v lower portions 11 and l2 having outward extending flanges 13 and- 141 which flan-ges are detach-ably securedtogether by means of bolts or the like. The casing is securely and rigidly mounted onthe frame work of the motor in anysuitable manner. The rear end of the sha-ft 1Q is angular in cross section and fits tightly in a corresponding opening in the casing so as to prevent rotation of said*V shaft. Rotatably mounted with-in the casing ony the shaft 10 is a drum- 15, lithin thedrum 15 and mounted around the shaft 10 isA a spring motor 16 consisting of three units, the `spring in each unit being rigidly fixed at one end to the shaft and at the opposite end to the drum 15 asbest shownE in, Eig. 3. Secured'to the'rearward endV of the drum Vby means of bolts or screws 17 is a head 18 which'head has formed integral therewith a sleeve 19 extending backwardly to the end of the casing and providedv with vscrew threads over a considerrearward side of the head 18 there aremounted a plurality of pawls 23 adapted to mesh or cooperate with the teeth on the ratchet 22 by means of the coil springs 24 on a predetermined movement of the head 18 Both the front and rear brake shells are provided with an external contracting brake 25 which is providedwith a suitable brake lining 26, The brake band is of the split type and provided with upwardly extending integral bifurcated lugs. As the shaft, cams for operating the brake band, and the manner'of mounting the shaft are identical in both the front and rear, the same reference characters will be applied to the corresponding parts except that I have added kthe letter a to the reference characters which indicate such parts in the front. In the front as in the rear the casing is providedwith openings in alignment and also in alignment with the bifurcated lugs of the brake band when Vpositioned. One of these openings is screw threaded in which is mounted an adjustable screw bearing or journal 27 extending inwardly into engagement with one ofthe lugs of the brake band where such lug is heldV against movement and the band from revolving around the brake disk. The journal 27 isl provided with a central bore in which, and the vbearing 28 of the casing,y

is rotatably and slideably mounted the brake shaft 29, Rigidly fixed to thecasing on the inside by means of the arm 31 and bolts as. shown` is a cam face sleeve 7 provided with an opening in alignment with sie the bearing 28 through which the brake shaft 29 looselyl and slideably passes. Also within the casing there is rigidly fixed to said brake shaft bymeans of a. cot-ter pin or the like a second sleeve 32" having a corresponding cam face designed to mesh and unmesh with the cam face of the sleeve 3,0 on each quarter turn of the brake nects the arm 34 with the Vmain casingl for normally holding the rear brake in set position, that is the position the parts would be in before starting the motor.

The forward end oli the rotatable drum 15 has rigidly fixed thereto a flanged head 37 by means of the bolts or screws as shown which head has integrally formed centrally therewith a forwardly extending sleeve 88, and is rotatably mounted on the main shaft, by means of the bushing (as best shown in Fig. On the sleeve 38 there is non-rotatably motmteda disk 39, Between the disk 89 and the head 87 there is rotatably mounted by means of the bushing shown a flanged pinion 40 on which pinion forward of the teeth thereof is mounted a brake disk 41 by means of the bushing shown. Fixed to the brake disk is a brake shell 42 Rigidly fixed to the disk 41 are a plurality of (in the illustration shown 8) pins or stub shafts 48 on each of which is rotatably mounted pinion 44 designed to mesh with the internal gear 45 formed integral with the head 87, and the pinion 40 (asbest shown in Figs. 3 and Screwed to the flanged pinion 40 (as best shown in Fig 3) is a clutch housing 46 which is provided with an integral sleeve or collar 47 by means of which it is rotatably mounted on the flanged friction collar 48 which colla-r is rotatably mounted on the main shaft 10. Fixed to the disk 39 are a plurality of forwardly extending pins 49 (as best. shown in Fig. 4) on each of which pins is rotatably mounted a pawl 50 The head of the pawl is bifurcated to receive the pins 51 (Fig. 4) on the friction collar 48, The pins 51 throw the pawls into engagement with the internal gear 52 on the initial movement of the spring motor when power is being transmitted to the engine and out of engagement when power is transmitted from the engine to the housing 46 through the friction offered by the collar 48 Nonroia tably but slideably mounted on the sleeve 47 is a driving gear 58 having an integral flange 54 which gear is pro vided with a collar 55 to which co-llar is pivoted a bifurcated arm 56 by means of the screws shown (Fig. 3) which arm is pivoted intermediate its ends to a bracket 57 (Fig. 2). The bracket is secured to the Vcasing by any suitable means. The outer or free end of the arm 56 is connected to a link or rod 58 which extends backwardly where it is readily accessible to the operator.

Referring now tothe front brake (Figs. 1, 2j and 4) the brake shaft 29a has nonrotatabily mounted thereon by any suitable means a ratchet 59 adjacent to which and rotatably mounted on the brake shaft is a Alink 60 having a gravity pawl 61 designed to engage the ratchet 59 on a predetermined movement of said link. Pivotally connected to the outer end of said link is a second link 62 which extends forwardly and is pivotally connected to the arm 84 Adjacent to the link 60 is rotatably mounted on the brake shaft 29a -a second link 63 having its upper portion bent inwardly toward the ratchet wheel (as best shown in Fig. 4) to which upper portion is pivotally connected spring pressed pawl 64 which pawl is designed to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 59 on a predetermined movement of said link. T he outer or free end of said link is pivotally connected to a rod 65 which extends rearwardly wherefit pivotally connects with a lever 66 which lever is fulcrumed on the bracket67, the bracket being rigidly secured to the main casing by any suitable means. The opposite or free end of the fulcrumed lever 66 is provided with a notch or groove designed to engage with the round-A ed head of the plunger 68 The plunger 68 is slideably mounted (Fig. 3) by means of the bushing in the bearing or opening in the end of the casing. The end of the plunger within the casing is provided with a flat head 69 Mounted on the sleeve 19 within the casing is a screw threaded travelling block 70 which block is provided with a groove near its lower side` 'to receive the flange 7 1 formed integral with the lower portion of the casing. )Vlien the sleeve 19 is rotated the block 70 is caused to travel thereon and is held against rotation by the fla-nge 71 along which it slides. The plunger 68 is forced outwardly by the travelling block on a predetermined movement of the sleeve 19 and inwardly by the tension spring 72 through the connections therebetween.

To permit ready access to the brake band connections l provide readily removable plates 73 and 74 detachably secured to the casing by means of bolts or the like, each of which if desired may be provided with an oil receiving opening for pouring oil into the apparatus. ln actual operation the device is partially filled with oil which finds its way through the heads, along the main shaft and between the gears and: disk, so that all the movable parts operate in a bath of oil.

The operation of the device illustrated is as follows:

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 and that the st-arter is mounted on the frame work of the motor which it is desired to start and that the energy has been previously stored up in the spring motor of the starter the operator first throws the slideable clutch 58 into mesh with the driving mechanism which connects with the motor shaft. He then pushes forlOl) llO

ward, either by afoot or hand operated-lever, the link which throws the -arm 34 over to the posit-ion shown 1n dotted lines (Fig. 1) thus rotating the rear brake.

shaft 29 a quarter turn and bringing the camifaces ofthe sleeves 32 anc 30 into mesh releasing the rear brake. Itis only necessary to `move the arm 34 ashort distance for the cam `surfaces Iareso -arranged as to mesh at every quarter turn of the brake shaft. As' theilink 35 isl moved forwardly the links 60 and 62 are also given a corresponding forward movement but owing to the factthat the link 60 is rotatably mounted on the front brakeA shaft f pins 51 on the` friction collar 43', the

collar at that moment being at rest. v Owing to the slight frictional resistance whichit offers, in starting, it, through the pins 51, throws the pawls 50 intovmesh withfthe internal gear 52 on the clutch'housi-ng 46 thus causing the housing to rotate through apositive connect-ion in one-direction which housing', through its sleeve 47, drives he slidable but non-rotatably mounted driving clutch 53 -Which driving clutch or gear through a Ysuitable connection, turns the motor shaft'(not shown). Inline diately upon starting the operation the sleeve 15) of the head 18' causes the travellingfblock 70 Vtov move inwardly'which allows the plunger to vbe forced inwardly by the tension spring 72 by which the link 63 is shot rearwardly for a purpose presently to be described. The moment the engine starts the leve-r connecting with the link 35 is released, the tension spring 3G imme diately sets both the front Iandrearbrakes. The slidable driving clutch or gear 53 drives the clutch housing 46 Astlie engine starts drivingfthe clutch housing'the pins on the frictional collar 48 through the friction offered by it automatically throws the pawls 50 inwardly out of engagement with the internal gear 52 VThe driving action of the housing 46 is transmitted directly to the pinion which pinion in' turn drives the small pinions 44 These pinions during this operationare being held against revolving' 'or travelling around the pinion 40 by virtue` of the fact that the front b-rakeisk set. Thereforey-'the small pinions 44 in turn drive the internal gear on the head 37 thus'revolving the drum-.around the stationary shaft. in an opposite direct-ion for restoringv energy in the spring motor. From this it will be seen that when the spring motor is starting the engine there 'is a positive connection through mynew I'and novel clutch arrangement but when the motor is restoring energy there is a yieldable connection through a different path as a result of which there is no chance of the -engine shaft breaking Vany vof the parts. Toprevent the pawlstO from being thrown too faroutY of the-path of the teeth of the internal gear 52 when'the' engine starts driving the clutch 153, l provide aV flange o1' collar 75 on the disk 39 (as best shown'in Figs. 3 .and 4) *to limit the inward movement Iof the pawls. Durifng the rewinding or the operation of-restoring energy the rotation of the'screwtthrea'ded sleeve on' the head 18 causes the travelling block to travelYontwardlyengagingi the plunger 68 which in turn through its lever and link connections forces thelink 63 forwardly which in turn through the pawl and ratchet connection turns the'frontbrake shaft aquarter turn and releases the front brake so that it isfagain ready for use-while therea-r brake through the disk .21and the pawl and ratchet connect-ion holds the brake drum from revolvingiuntil'the rear brake is again released. Y

To make it more clear as. tok the operation of thebrakes t-he front brake is normally released while-the'frear brakeis normally set. When it is desired to utilize the device by .f n'ioving the lever 35 forwardly. the rear brakeiszreleased. and thellink 6 0 is thrown forward-ly sothat when.' the engine is-started and the link 35 pulled backwardly both brakes are set. lnorder to automatically release thefront brake when the spring motor.v has been sufficiently wound by the engine and to put thestart-ing device in condition for use, the auxiliary automatically operated `front brake mechanism has` been provided. This as before ypointedoutconsistsof the traveling'block 70, plunger 68, lever 66, link 65, link 63, spring pressedpawl 64 and tension spring '72.

N hen 'the starter is thrown in operation the auxiliarymechanismis in the position shown 1nrl3`1gs. l and 2. Tlie1efore,wliile' the starter is cranking thelenginethe sleeve 19 draws thetraveling block inwardly permitting the tensionspring 72=to draiw the link 63 rearwardly'. During 'this movement it does not'effect'the front 4brake shaft as it is rotatably mounted!thereonC and its pawl simply Slidesidly-Over the @gear teeth but whenthe'engine stai-tsl-restoring energy-in the spring motor the oppo'sit'e'- rotation of the sleeve 19 causes thetravell. ld

ino` block to move outwardl forcing the b c 7, t

plunger GS with it which plunger through the lever and link connection forces the link G3 forwardly during which operation through the pawl and ratchet connection the front brake sl aft is rotated subst-antially a quarter of a. turn automatically discon ecting the drum from the engine by releasing the front bralre thus putting the parts in condition for again starting the engine. From this arrangement it willbe seen that i have provided means for automatically successively setting and releasing the front brake and thereby auton'iatically successively making and breaking the driving connections through which power is transmitted from the engine to the spring motor.

lt will also be seen from the mechanism shown and described that the ope "ator, thru the rear brake, can control the energy in the spring motor to a fraction of a revolution. rFhis is an important feature in cold weather or when the internal combustion engine is in poor condition for the operator may give the engine one or two turns, stop it by merely releasing the lever to make such adjustment as mayi be desired, and then press the cont-rol lever and give the engine such additional turns or fraction of turns as may be desired.

From the foregoing it is apparent that l have produced a self-contained mechanical starter fo internal combustion engines, which possesses to the fullest extent all of the foregoing and many other inherent advan ages.

l claim:

l. in a starter,y the combination of a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted thereon, a spring motor for operating the drum a front head tor the drinn, positiv driving connections driven by and automatically put in operative relation by the rotation ot the drum, separate driving connections for rewinding the drum, a front brake for yieldingly holding the latter connections in operative relation, automatically o1 rated means for successively setting and releasing said brake for making and breaking the latter connections, a rear bral-e for normally holding the drum against rotation to retain the stored up energy and lever operated means for releasing the rear brake said' means on reverse movement being adapted to set both front and rear brakes simultaneously.

2. ln a device of the class described, a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably' mounted on said shaft, a spring motor for operating said drum, a front head fast to the drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch n'iechanismV between the driving member and head.,` a yieldable connection between the driving member and head and-an automatically operated brake for yieldably holding the latter connections in operative relation while the drum is being driven by the power transmitted through the driving member.

3. In a device of the class described, a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spring motor for operating said drum, a front head fast to the drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the driving member and head, a yieldable connection between the driving member and head, an automatically operated brake for yieldingly holding the latter connections in operative connection while the spring motor is being rewound by the power transmitted through the-driving member, and means operated by| the rewinding rotation of the drum for automatically releasing the front Vbrake when the spring motor has been rewound to the desired point, thereby automatically disconnecting the drum from the rewinding action of the driving member.

4. In a device of the class described, a sta tionary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spring motor for operating said drum, a front head fast to the, drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the driving member and head, a yieldable connection between the driving member and head, an automatically operated brake for yieldingly holding the latter connections in operative connection while the spring motor is being rewound by the power transmitted through the driving member, means operated by the rewinding rotation of the drun'i for automatically releasing the front brake when the spring motor has been rewound to the desired point, thereby automatically disconnecting the drum from the rewinding action of the driving member, and a rea-r bralie for yieldingly holding the drum against rotation in au unwinding direction.

5. In device of the class described, a

stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spring motor for operating said drum, a front head fast to the drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the driving member and head, a yieldable connection between the driving member and head., an automatically operated bra-ke for yieldingly holding the latter connections in operative connection while the spring motor is being rewound by the power transmitted through the driving member, means operated by the rewinding rotation of the drum for automatically releasing the front brake when the spring motor has been rewound to the desired point, thereby automatically disconnecting the drum from the rewinding action of the drivingmember, a rear brake for yieldingly holding the drum against rotation in an unwinding direction, and lever CII l brake.

6; In a device of the class described, a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spring motor for operating said drum, a front head fast to the drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the driving memberand head', a yieldable connection between the driving member and head, an automatically operatedv brake for yieldingly holding the latter connections vin voperative connection while thespringinotor is being rewound by the power transmitted through the.driving-member, means opera-ted .by the rewinding rotationof thedrumfor automatically releasing the front brake when the spring motorhasbeen rewound-to' the desired .p oint, thereby automatically disconnecting. the .drum from'tlie rewindifng action ofthe driving member, au'ear bra'lre for yieldingly holding the drum -against rotation in an unwindingdirection, and lever ope-rated means for releasing the rear. brake, said means being adapted to release the rear brake separately but designed-to reset both brakes simultaneously.

7. In a. device of the class described, a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted thereon, a-driving; member, a positive oneway clutch throuoh which power is transmitted from the Crum to the driving member, a separate yieldable connection through which power is transmitted fromthc driving member to the drum, andmeans for automatically, making and breaking the-driving connection fromV the driving. member to the drum.

8., In a device of the class described, a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted thereon, a driving member, a positive oneway clutch through which power is transmitted from the drum to the driving member, a separate yieldable connection through which power is transmitted from the driving member to the drum, a frontibrake, a means for automatically setting said brake to make the connection operative between the .driving member and drum. Y 9. In a device of the class described, a stationary shaft, a drum rotatably mounted thereon, adriving member, a positiveoneway clutch thro-ugh which power is transmitted from thedrum to the "driving, member, a separate yieldable connection through which power is transmitted from the driving member to the drum, a front brake, means for automatically setting rsaid brake to make the connection operative between the driving member and drum,.and means automatically operated by the rotation .of the. drum forreleasing saidbrake to break the operative connection .between the driving member andldium..,. y

l0. In a deviceY of the class .fdescrbed, a-

connections releases said brake when theA drum has been rotated to the desired point.

'11. In alstarter, a drum, a motor for operating. said drum, afront hea-d for said drum, .adriving` member, positive driving connections between' the said head and `driving, member. adapted. to be automatically thrown. into. operative .relation .on the finitial rotation .of. said v.,dr.um,. said meansfcompgrisingl a memberrotata-ble -withsaid head1, a plurality of bifurcated r pawlsal carried', by saidmember, a flanged friction. collar rotatably mounted on. said shaft, a clutch housing provided with a sleeve rotatably mounted on said collar, an internal gear on said housing, and pins carried bysaid collaradapted to force said pawls into engagement with said gear whenI the drivingpower is trans,- mitted froml the head and out of engagement when,y the drivingvpowerlis beingtransmit ted from the clutch housing. l

12. In a starter, a drum, a motor for operating said drum,a front head for saidk drum, a drivingV member, positive-drivingy connections between the. said` head and driving member adapted to be automatically thrown intoy operative relation on the initial rota-tion of said drum, said means comp-rising a member rotatable with said head, a plurality of bifurcated pawls carried by said member, a flanged friction colla-r. rotatably mounted` on said. shaft, a clutch housing provided with. asleeve rotatably mounted on Said collar, airinternal gear on said housing, pins carried Vby said collar adapted to force said .pawls intoV engagementwith said gea-rwh'en the driving power is transmitted from the head and out of engagement kwhen the driving. power is being'transmitted from the clutch housing, and yi eldable connections between. saidjho-us ing; and head for. transmitting power.. from said housingtosaid. head Y 13.. Ina starter, adrum, a motoriforop erating said drum, af. front u head for said drum, a; driving membelg positive driving connections between the said head andfdriw ing member. adapted to` bef. automatically `pluralityofbifurcated pawlsfcarried by said member, atflanged.,y friction collar rotatably mounted. on. said sha-ft, a :clutch housing ,prof vided with. a sleeve rotatablymountedonsaid Collar? ellinternal.genitori Said housing, 1p-ins llO carried by said collar adapted to force said pawls into engagement wit-h said gear when the driving power is transmitted from the head and out of engagement when the driv ingl power is being transmitted from the clutch housing, yieldable connections between said housing and head for transmit ting power from` said housing to said head, said means comprising a pinion fast vto said housing, a brake disk rotatably mounted on said pinion, an internal gear on said head, a plurality of pinions' carried by said disk and designed to mesh with the internal gearand the first mentioned pinion, and means for holding said disk against rotation.

14e. .Tn a device of the class described` a stationary shaft, a spring motor fast to said shaft, a driving` member, means for automatically rewinding said motor, said means comprising a pinion, a brake disk rotatably mounted on said pinion, an internal gear connected tothe spring motor, a plurality of comparatively small pinions carried by the brake disk and designed to mesh with the first mentioned pinion and internal gear, and a brake for holding the disk against rota tion.

15. ln a starter, a stationary shaft, a drum, a driving member, a head for said drum, an internal gear on said head, a pinion, a brake disk, a plurality of small pinions carri-ed by said disk and adapted to constantly mesh with said internal gear and Iirst mentioned pinion, an automatically operated brake for yie-ldably holding said brake and disk against movement and means for rigidly connecting said first mentioned pinion with said driving member.

16. ln a staiiter, a stationary shaft, a drum, a driving member, a head for said drum, an internal gear on said head, a pinion, a brake disk, a. plurality of small pinions carried by said disk and adapted to constantly mesh with said internal gear and first mentioned pinion, an automatically operated brake for yieldably holding said brake disk against movement, and mea-ns for rigidly connecting 'said first mentioned pinion with said driving member, said means comprising a clutch housing on which is nonrota-tably mounted a driving member.

1?. In a starter, the combination of a casing, a stationary shaft mounted therein, a rotatable drum mounted thereon, a brake band provided withbifurcated lugs within said casing for holding said drum against rotation, and i lea-ns for operating said band, said means comprising a brake shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, means within said casing operated bly said shaft for contracting said band on the rotation of said shaft, and means for rotating said shatt.

18. In a device of the class described a one-way safety clutch, comprising a. rotatable member carrying a plurality of bifurcated pawls, a frictional collar carrying a plurality of pins designed to mesh with the bifurcations in said pawls and a second member in frictional engagement with said collar provided with an internal gear, the said collar, due to its frictional resistance, being adapted through its pin connection with the pawls to throw said pawls into mesh with said gear when the power is being transmitted from the first member to the second member and adapted to throw the pawls out of mesh when it is attempted to transmit power from the second member to the first member.

19. ln an external contracting brake band, a rotatable shaft provided with means for contracting or releasing said brake on each partial rotation thereof, a ratchet non-rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pair of links pivoted to said shaft normally set at right angles each provided with a pawl designed to engage said ratchet, whereupon the movement of one of said links sets said brake, and a progressive movement of the other link releases said brake.

20. ln an external contracting brake band, a rotatable shaft provided with means for contracting or releasing said brake on each partial rotation thereof, a ratchet non-rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pair of links pivoted to said shaft normally set at right angles each provided with a pawl designed to engage said rachet, whereupon the movement of one of said links sets said brake, a progressive movement of the other link releases said brake, and means for operating said links.

21. ln a starterLthe combination of a asing, a stationary shaft mounted therein, a drum rotatably mounted on the shaft, a spring motor for rotating said drum, a front and rear brake, the front brake in use being normally released while the rear brak-e is normally set, the latter being adapted to hold the drum against rotation in an unwinding direction, lever operated means for releasing the rear brake, a driving member, driving connections between Lthe driving member and drum, means for automatically setting the front brake to permit the driving member to rotate the drum, and means for automatically releasing the front brake when the motor has been rewound to a predetermined point. i

22. In a starter, the combination of a casing, a stationary shaft mounted therein, a drum rotatably mounted on the shaft, a

spring motor for lrotating said drum, a

front and rea-r brake, the front brake in use being normally released while the rear brake is normally set, the latter being adapted to hold the drum against rotation in an unwinding direction, lever operated means for releasing the rear brake, driving member, driving connections between the wound; means for automatically breaking' said connection when the'moto-rhas been wound lto the-'desired poi-nt, a-:positive driving'connectionbetween thelspring motor and driving-member, andineansfifor automatically breaking said :connection when :the driving member is rewinding; the spring motor.

24. In av startergthe'combination of a sha-ft, a springmotor, adriving member, driving connections between saidl driving: member and spring` motor,means for automatically making said connection while said'motor is beingl wound, meansfor? automatically breakingisaid connection whentheA motor has been wou-nd to the desired point, aepositive driving connection betwee-n'the spring motor 4and driving member, andfmeansafor automatically breaking said connection .when the driving member is rewinding `thee spring motor.'

25; In a starter,v the combination offa stationaryshaft, a'.springe-motor,l a'front and ieaiwbrake, the frontbrake -in usebein'g normally released while the rear bralefis normally set, the latter bei-ng ad'aptedto. hold the. spring motorI againstf rewinding, lever operating means Lforreleasing therear brake, a driving` member, -driving'connections between they driving member af-sprin-g motor, means for automatically'setting the iront brake. to permit the -driving memberfto rotate theV spring'motor and means for autormatically releasing the fronty brake when the motor has been rewound.-

26. In astarter, the combination o'fasta tionary shaft, .aspring motor, avifront and rear brake, .the front brake yin-,use .being nor mally releasedlwhile the rear brakeris; normally set, thee latter,4 being adaptedgtorfhold the spring motor against.: rewinding., ,lever operated means for releasingmheereargbrale, a drivingA member, drivingj connections'between the driving member and spring,motor7 means for: automatically setting thee-front brakefto permit the c; driving membento ro.- tate theL spring motor, means A for automati cally releasingthe fronti brake when the motor has been rewound, and v meansf; for readily adjusting, said releasing; meansby 27. In a device oiptheclassdescribedaa shaft, .a spring `motor, adriving member; .a

.lfiositivefA oneway-` clutch through: which" between; the drivingmemfber and spring motor;

28. In a device of the class described-,1 a shaft, vaspring motor, a-drivmg member,

a positive one-way clutch through: which power'is transmitted from .the sprino'V motor to -thefdriving 1 member, a Vseparate yleldable connection:throughfzwhiclr power is transmittedkk from` the driving" memlberto' the spring motor for"` rewindingrthev latter,- a i brake,` means :for automatically. setting said brake to makeY the' connection operative between 'the drivin-gmember and spring motor, and' mea-ns automatically operated yby vthe rewind-ing. ofy said'` motor `for breaking the Y connecti onV l'between' the.V` driving member and spring motor." Y

29.v In a deviceiio thelclassvdescribed, a spring motor,1a dri-vingmember, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the-V motor" and driving member, a yieldable connection between thef driving member and motorgmeans for yieldingly holding the= latter inv. operativerelation whilel the spring motor is being rewound bythe power transmitted through :the driving member, and; means operated: by the motor` for lautomatically disconnecting the spring moto-r from the driving"v member whenA rewound toi the desi-red point; a

30. In axdevice of,tlrevclassdescribed, a spring'motor, a driving.fmember,` ay aositive automatically operated` clutchv mec anism between the'imo-torV and driving member, a yieldable connection between then driving member. andr motor, means for yieldingly holdingytherlatter in' operative 'relation'whil-e the spring motorfis 'beingfrewoundfby'the power transmitted thro-ugh thel driving member; means operated by the motor4 Jfor automatically disconnecting,v the spring motor from the "driving *member when rerwound to the' desired point, andv means-'for normally".l holding the-.spring1- motor; against unwinding:v Y

3l.; Inra oneiway clutch;- a'fshaftya .dri-v; ing; member-,1aafrictionalA collar rotatably mountedon; there shaft;r4 at drivenz member rotatablyV mounted omthe collanl and pro?v vided withiY anl internal gear, pawls' carried by Ysaid.;d riving: Vmember-'and.:meansfcarried by saidccoll-ar fori throwing saidipawlsfinto and out ofzmeslifwithi saidzigear:

32." In.;Y a1 starter, the combination; of; a' drum; a Y spring; motori for: operatingli the drum,v` positive driving; connectionsjdriven by an; automatcally:` puttin: operative? relai v tion: by. the-frotationrv of .the-1drain, separa-.te

i., ai)

driving connections for rewinding the drum, a front brake for yieldingly holding the latter connections in operative relation, automatically operated means for successively setting' and releasing said brake for making and breaking the latter connect-ions, a rear brakefor normally holding the drum against rotation to retain the stored up energy and lever operated means for releasing the rear brake said means on reverse movement being adapted to set both front and rear brakes simultaneously.

33. In a device of the class described, a drum, a spring motor for operating said drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the driving member and drum, a yieldalole connection between the driving member and drum and a brake for yieldably holding the latter connections in operative relation while the drum is being driven by the power transmitted through the driving member.

34. In a device of the class described, a drum, a spring motor for operating said drum, a driving member, a positive automatically operated clutch mechanism between the driving member and drum, a yieldable connection between the driving member and drum, an automatically operated brake for yieldingly holding the latter connections in operative connection while the spring motor is being rewound by the power transmitted through the driving member, and means operated by the rewinding rotation of the drum for automatically releasing the front brake when the spring motor has been rewound to the desired point, thereby automatically disconnecting the drum from the rewinding action of the driving member.

35. In a 4device of the class described, a shaft, a drum a driving member, a positive one-way clutch through which power is transmitted from the drum to the driving member, a separate yieldable connection through which power is transmitted from the `driving member to the drum, and means for making and breaking the driving connection from the driving member to the drum.

36. In a device of the class described, a shaft, a drum, a driving member, a positive one-way clutch through which power is transmitted from the drum to the driving member, a separate yieldable connec- -tion through which power is transmitted from the driving member to the drum, a brake, means for setting said brake to make the connection operative between the driving member and drum, and means for releasing said brake to break the operative connection between the driving member and drum.

37. In a starter, a drum, a motor for operating said drum, a front head for said drum, a driving member, positive driving connections between the said head and driving member adapted to be automatically thrown into operative relation on the initial rotation of said drum, said means comprising a `member rotatable with said head, a plurality of bifurcatcd pawls carried by said member, a gear, a friction collar, provided with pins adapte-d to force said pawls intoy engagement with said gear when the driving power is transmitted from the head and out of engagement when the driving power is being transmitted in the reverse direction.

38. In a starter, a shaft, a drum, a driving member, a head for said drum, an internal gear on said'head, a pinion, a brake disl a plurality of small pinions carried by said disk and adapted to constantly mesh with said internal gear and first mentioned pinion, a brake for yieldably holding said disk against movement and means for rigidly connecting said rst mentioned pinion with said driving member.

39. In a starter, a shaft, a drum, a driving member', an internal gear on said drum, a pinion, a brake disk, a plurality of small. pinions carried by said disk and adapted to constantly mesh with said internal gear and iirst mentioned pinion, an automatically operated brake for yieldably holding said brake disk against movement, and means for rigidly connecting said first mentioned pinion with said driving member.

40. In a starter, the combination of a casing, a shaft mounted therein, a drum mounted in said casing, a brake band within said casing for holding said drum against rotation, and means for operating said band, said means comprising a brake shaft rotatably mounted in said casing, means within said casing operated by said shaft for contracting said band on the rotation of said shaft and means for rotating said shaft.

4-1. In a device for starting an internal combustion engine the combination of a drum, a spring motor, a brake, a driving member, a frictional trip, a one-way safety clutch between the drum and driving member and adapted to be automatically thrown into positive connection when the spring motor is transmitting power to the driving member and to be automatically disengaged by the same means when power is applied to the driving member by the engine said means being characterized by said brake and frictional trip member.

4t2. In a device of the class described a one-way safety clutch comprising a gear, a rotatable member carrying plurality of bifurcated pawls, a frictional collar carrying a plurality of pins designed to mesh with the bifurcations in said pawls, the said collar, due to its frictional resistance, being adapted through its pin connection with the itl il pawls to throw said pawls into mesh with said gear when the power is being transmtted from the first member to the second member and adapted to throw the pawls out of mesh when it is attempted to transmit power from the second member to the first member.

3. In a starter, the combination of a easing, a shaft, a drum, a motor for rotating said drum, a front and rear brake, the front brake in use being normally released while the rear brake is normally Set, the latter being adapted to hold the drum against rota-- tion in'an unwinding direction, means for releasing and setting said bra-kes, a driving member and driving connections between the driving member and drum.

44. In a starter, the combination of a casing, a stationary shaft mounted therein, a drum rotatably mounted on the shaft, a spring motor for rotating said drum, a front and rear brake, the front brake in use being normally released while the rear bra-ke is normally set, the latter being adapted to hold the drum against rotation in an unwinding direction, lever operated means for releasing the rear brake, driving member, driving connections between the driving member and drum and means 'forsetting tbe front brake to permit the driving member to rotate the drum.

45. In a starter, the combination ot' a spring motor, a front and rear brake, one bra-ke in use being normally released while the other is'normally Set, a ydriving member, driving connections between thel driving member and spring motor, means for setspring motor, means for setting the lfrontV brake to permit the driving member to rotate the spring motor and means for releasing the frontbrale when the motor has been rewound. Y

47. In a device of the class described, a

the combination of a,

shaft, a Vspring motor, a driving member, a Y

positive one-way clutch through which power is transmitted from the spring. motor to the driving member, a separate yieldable connection through which power is transmitted from the driving member,` to the spring motor for rewinding the latter, a brake, and means for setting 4said brake to make the connection operativeA between the driving 'member and spring'l motor. Y

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribeV my name to this specification in the presence of two witnesses. l

FLOYD OI-IiNjSTON. Y

Witnesses O. M. Hos, L. C. DREESEN. 

